Salt vs. Boat: How It Damages Your Boat - And How to Stop It

Salt vs. Boat: How It Damages Your Boat - And How to Stop It

Saltwater is a major factor when it comes to maintaining your boat, but unfortunately, it’s not as harmless as it seems. While it’s a natural part of the boating experience, salt can cause significant damage to both the interior and exterior of your boat if left unchecked. From corrosion to wear on the gel coat, here’s why saltwater is a serious threat—and how to fight back.

How Salt Damages Your Boat

Salt is corrosive. When it comes in contact with your boat’s metal components, it triggers a process known as oxidation, which leads to rust and eventual corrosion. Over time, this can compromise important parts of your boat like engine parts, brackets, and other metal fittings.

Saltwater also damages paint and gel coat, leading to staining, oxidation, and premature fading. If you don’t clean salt residue off regularly, it can embed itself into the surface, leading to discoloration and irreversible damage. Not to mention, salt buildup is tough to scrub off without the right products, making it harder to keep your boat looking like new.

The interior of your boat isn’t safe from salt, either. It can affect upholstery, flooring, and fittings by leaving behind residues that attract dirt and grime, accelerating wear and tear.

How to Stop Salt Damage: AquaClean Salt Wash

This is where AquaClean’s Salt Wash comes in. Designed specifically to neutralize salt and remove it safely, Salt Wash is the perfect solution to prevent the damage salt can cause to your boat’s surfaces.

Salt Wash effectively breaks down salt buildup from your boat’s hull, metal parts, and deck areas, stopping corrosion in its tracks. Whether it’s been a few days on the water or just a quick trip to the dock, Salt Wash ensures that you’re not leaving behind any salt to cause damage.

Pro Tip: Your Saltwater Protection Routine

Protecting your boat from saltwater damage is a multi-step process that starts before you launch and continues after your trip. Here's how to keep your boat in top shape:

  1. Before You Launch:

    • Apply AquaClean Protect: This ceramic coating spray creates a strong hydrophobic layer on your gel coat, paint, and metal surfaces, preventing saltwater from sticking in the first place. The coating helps protect your boat against corrosion, staining, and environmental wear, so you’re ready to face the saltwater without worry.

  2. After Pulling Your Boat Out of Saltwater:

    • Use AquaClean Salt Wash: Immediately rinse off your boat with Salt Wash after you've pulled it out of the water. Salt Wash is designed to neutralize and break down salt buildup on all surfaces—protecting your hull, metal parts, and fittings from corrosion. It ensures the salt doesn’t have time to bond to your boat, which could lead to damage over time.

  3. Keep It Protected Between Trips:

    • Use AquaClean Wipedown: After rinsing with Salt Wash, you can maintain your protection with Wipedown, our ceramic quick detailer. This spray adds a layer of protection that maintains the hydrophobic qualities of Protect and helps repel dirt and water. It's perfect for quick touch-ups and maintaining your boat’s shine.

    • For Interior Surfaces: To protect vinyl, rubber, and plastic surfaces, apply AquaClean Interior. It conditions, repels dirt, and adds UV protection to prevent cracking, fading, or deterioration from the salt air.

Keep Salt at Bay This Boating Season

By following these simple steps and adding AquaClean Salt Wash to your routine, you’ll be protecting your boat from the harmful effects of saltwater without all the stress. Saltwater doesn’t stand a chance when you take action to neutralize it as soon as you pull out of the water. Keep your boat looking and performing its best with AquaClean.

Ready to safeguard your boat? Shop AquaClean Salt Wash and more today at shopaquaco.com.

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